Changeup controller for ball throwing machine

ABSTRACT

Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module may utilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to the field of ball throwing machines.

BACKGROUND

Ball throwing machines are used to throw baseballs, softballs, tennisballs and the like. For baseballs or softballs, the ball throwingmachine may be used in batting practice to repeatedly throw balls to abatter which the batter attempts to hit. Some ball throwing machines canthrow different types of pitches, such as fastballs, changeups, and/orcurveballs. However, these ball throwing machines require physicaladjustment to change the pitch type so that the pitches arrive at thebatter in the proper position (e.g., the strike zone). The adjustmentmay require a longer pause between pitches, and/or changing the positionof one or more components of the ball throwing machine. The batter mayrecognize the longer delay between pitches and/or see the adjustment ofthe machine, and this may indicate to the batter that a different pitchis coming, thereby negating the surprise element in batting practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and theappended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and notby way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a ball throwing machine in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the ball throwing machine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of the ball throwingmachine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a changeup algorithm for a baseball throwing machine,in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a changeup algorithm for a softball throwing machine,in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a ball throwing machine having tworotary wheels, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the ball throwing machine ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a ball throwing machine having threerotary wheels, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the ball throwing machine ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural orlogical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore,the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limitingsense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments;however, the order of description should not be construed to imply thatthese operations are order dependent.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down,back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used tofacilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict theapplication of disclosed embodiments.

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, maybe used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended assynonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected”may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalor electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two ormore elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However,“coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in directcontact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with eachother.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “NB” or in theform “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of thedescription, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For thepurposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or(AB) that is, A is an optional element.

The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments,” whichmay each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and thelike, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and aregenerally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should beinterpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” shouldbe interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should beinterpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).

With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein,those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to thesingular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to thecontext and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations maybe expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In various embodiments, methods, apparatuses, and systems for a pitchingmachine controller are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a computingdevice may be endowed with one or more components of the disclosedapparatuses and/or systems and may be employed to perform one or moremethods as disclosed herein.

Embodiments herein provide a speed control module for a pitchingmachine. The pitching machine may include one or more rotary wheels anda motor associated with each rotary wheel. The motors may cause theirassociated rotary wheels to rotate. The pitching machine may furtherinclude a feed structure configured to receive a ball and bring the ballinto contact with a circumferential outer surface of the one or morerotary wheels. The ball may be thrown outwardly by rotation of the oneor more rotary wheels.

In various embodiments, the speed control module may be coupled to themotor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at afirst rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotationalspeed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determinethe second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so thata ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zonewhen the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and thechangeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module mayutilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the firstrotational speed to the second rotational speed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ball throwing machine 100 may include arotary wheel 102 coupled to a body portion 104 and supported on theground by a support structure 106 (e.g., a tripod 106). In someembodiments, the rotary wheel 102 may include a pneumatic tire 105. Amotor 108 may be coupled to the rotary wheel 102 and configured torotationally drive the rotary wheel 102. The ball throwing machine 100may further include a feed structure 110 coupled to the supportstructure and configured to receive a ball (not shown) and bring theball into contact with an outer circumferential surface 112 of therotary wheel 102. The feed structure may be configured for hand-feedingof balls by an operator, and/or may be configured to automatically feedballs periodically to the rotary wheel 102.

A pinch plate 114 may be coupled to the body portion and spaced apartfrom the outer circumferential surface 112 of the rotary wheel 102 at adistance less than the diameter of the ball. The pinch plate 114 maypinch the ball against the rotary wheel 102, and the rotary wheel 102may throw the ball outwardly from the ball throwing machine 100 toward abatter (not shown).

A control box 109 may be coupled to the motor 108 and configured tocontrol the rotational speed of the rotary wheel 102. In variousembodiments, the ball throwing machine 100 may be selectively placed ina fastball setting and/or a changeup setting to throw a fastball pitch(a throw of relatively high speed) or a changeup pitch (a throw ofrelatively low speed), respectively. The motor 108 may rotate at a firstrotational speed (i.e., a fastball rotational speed) during the fastballsetting and at a second rotational speed (i.e., a changeup rotationalspeed) during the changeup setting. The second rotational speed may beslower than the first rotational speed. Accordingly, the ball throwingmachine 100 may throw the ball with a faster speed when in the fastballsetting than when in the changeup setting.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ball throwing machine 100 may include a speedcontrol module 115. The speed control module 115 may be located in thecontrol box 109 (as shown in FIG. 2). The speed control module 115 maybe coupled to a power supply 120. The fastball control module 116 may becoupled to a power supply 120. The power supply 120 may be any suitablesource of power, such as a 120 volt alternating current (AC) powersource (e.g., a wall socket), a battery, and/or any other suitable powersource.

In some embodiments, the speed control module 115 may include a fastballcontrol module 116 (also referred to as a base speed control module 116)and a changeup control module 118. The speed control module 115 mayfurther include a speed control mechanism 122, coupled to the fastballcontrol module 116, to allow an operator to specify a fastball speedsetting among a range of speeds. In some embodiments, the speed controlmechanism 122 may include a potentiometer having a rotating dial.Alternatively, or additionally, the speed control mechanism 122 mayinclude one or more buttons, a touchscreen and/or a display. When theball throwing machine 100 is in the fastball setting, the rotationalspeed of the motor 108 (i.e., the first rotational speed) may becontrolled by the fastball control module 116. The first rotationalspeed of the motor 108 may be determined by the fastball speed settingof the fastball control module 116.

In some embodiments, the fastball control module 116 and changeupcontrol module 118 may be part of the same integrated circuit (e.g.,located on the same chip). In other embodiments, the changeup controlmodule 118 may be a separate circuit from the fastball control module116. In some such embodiments, the changeup control module 118 may beconfigured to be coupled to a conventional fastball control module 116of an existing machine.

In various embodiments, the changeup control module 118 may beswitchable between an unengaged state (when the ball throwing machine100 is in the fastball setting) and an engaged state (when the ballthrowing machine 100 is in the changeup setting). When in the engagedstate, the changeup control module 118 may cause the motor 108 to rotateat the second rotational speed in order to throw a changeup pitch.

In various embodiments, the second rotational speed may be determinedbased on a changeup algorithm 200 a-b (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,respectively) applied by the changeup control module. Changeup algorithm200 a may be configured to determine the second rotational speed forthrowing baseballs, while changeup algorithm 200 b may be configured todetermine the second rotational speed for throwing softballs. Thechangeup algorithm 200 a-b may be configured so that the ball willarrive at an athlete (e.g., a batter) within a target zone (e.g., thestrike zone) whether the ball throwing machine 100 is in the fastballsetting or the changeup setting. The changeup algorithm 200 a-b maydetermine the second rotational speed based at least in part on thefirst rotational speed. The difference between the first rotationalspeed and the second rotational speed may vary depending on themagnitude of the first rotational speed. This may facilitate the ballarriving at the batter within the target zone in the fastball settingand the changeup setting. For a fastball pitch of relatively high speed(e.g., 90 miles per hour (mph)), the speed difference between the firstrotational speed and the second rotational speed may be greater than thespeed difference for a fastball pitch of relatively low speed (e.g., 50mph), while causing the ball to arrive within the target zone.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the changeup algorithm200 a-b may include an equation that determines the second rotationalspeed based on the first rotational speed. For example, the changeupalgorithm may include a polynomial equation (e.g., a second orderpolynomial equation), a power law equation, an exponential equation,and/or a logarithmic equation, although other types of equations arepossible. In other embodiments (not shown), the changeup algorithm 200a-b may determine the second rotational speed based on a percentage ofthe first rotational speed (e.g., a linear equation). Alternatively, thechangeup algorithm 200 a-b may include a lookup table of values tocorrelate the first rotational speed with the second rotational speed.The changeup control module 118 may use the lookup table to determinethe second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed.

The changeup algorithm 200 a-b may vary depending on a distance settingof the ball throwing machine 100 (i.e., the distance from the ballthrowing machine to the batter). In some embodiments, the distancesetting may be set by the manufacturer (so that the distance setting isa constant in the changeup algorithm). In other embodiments, thedistance setting may be selectively controlled by the operator.

In some embodiments, the changeup control module 118 may include amemory device having the changeup algorithm 200 a and/or 200 b storedthereon. In some embodiments, the changeup control module may include amemory device having both the baseball changeup algorithm 200 a (asshown in FIG. 4) and the softball changeup algorithm 200 b (as shown inFIG. 5) stored thereon. The changeup control module 118 may include aswitch, such as a dip switch, to selectively configure the changeupcontrol module to use the baseball changeup algorithm 200 a or thesoftball changeup algorithm 200 b. The proper algorithm may be set bythe manufacturer/retailer prior to delivery of the ball throwing machine100 and/or the ball throwing machine 100 may include a switch accessibleto the operator for changing between throwing baseballs and softballs.

In various embodiments, the changeup algorithm 200 a-b may be configuredso that a position of the rotary wheel 102, feed structure 110(including pinch plate 114), and/or other components of the ballthrowing machine 100 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) does not need to bechanged between throwing a fastball pitch and a changeup pitch for theball to arrive in the target zone. Accordingly, a trajectory of the ballas it leaves the outer circumferential surface 112 of the ball throwingmachine 100 may be the same during the fastball setting and the changeupsetting. The trajectory may be determined by the relative angle and/orposition of the pinch plate 114 and the rotary wheel 102. This maysimplify the design and also facilitate changing the ball throwingmachine 100 from the fastball setting to the changeup setting, and viceversa, without the batter noticing.

Although the fastball control module 116 and changeup control module 118are shown in FIG. 3 as separate components within the speed controlmodule 115, in other embodiments the fastball control module 116 andchangeup control module 118 may be integrated into the same component.For example, the fastball control module 118 and changeup control module118 may be a part of the same integrated circuit.

Referring again to FIG. 3, in various embodiments, the speed controlmodule 115 may use a resistive braking scheme to transition the motor108 from the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed. Theresistive braking scheme may allow the motor 108 to be transitionedrelatively quickly from the first rotational speed to the secondrotational speed, thereby facilitating changing from a fastball pitch toa changeup pitch without increasing the normal time delay betweenpitches. This may further prevent the batter from noticing that thechangeup pitch is being thrown.

In various embodiments, the motor 108 may be an electric motor (e.g., adirect current (DC) motor or an alternating current (AC) motor). Themotor 108 may receive an input signal at one or more input terminals123. The rotational speed of the motor 108 may be based on one or moreparameters of the input signal received by the motor 108. For example,the rotational speed of the motor 108 may be based on the voltage levelof the input signal. In these embodiments, the input signal may also bereferred to as the input voltage. In some embodiments, a higher inputvoltage may result in a higher rotational speed of motor 108 (andtherefore a higher rotational speed of rotary wheel 102). In otherembodiments, another parameter of the input signal may be used tocontrol the speed of the motor, such as current, frequency, and/or dutycycle (e.g., pulse width modulation) of the input signal.

In various embodiments, the fastball control module 116 may produce afirst voltage (i.e., a fastball voltage) at one or more output terminals124, the first voltage having a voltage level that is based on thefastball speed setting. When the changeup control module 118 is in theunengaged state, the output terminals 124 of the fastball control module116 may be communicatively coupled to the input terminals 123 of themotor 108 and the first voltage is passed to the motor 108 as the inputvoltage. The first voltage causes the motor 108 to rotate at the firstrotary speed, thereby configuring the rotary wheel 102 to throw afastball pitch.

When the changeup control module 118 is switched to the engaged state,the speed control module 115 may transition the input voltage from thefirst voltage to the second voltage. In some embodiments, the changeupcontrol module 118 may interrupt the communicative coupling between theoutput terminals 124 of the fastball control module 116 and the inputterminals 123 of the motor 108. The changeup control module 118 may thencouple the input terminals 123 to a resistive load (not shown). Theresistive load may cause the motor 108 to convert to a generator andfeed the input voltage into the resistive load. This process may alsoreferred to as resistive braking and/or regenerative braking. Theresistive braking may cause the voltage level of the input voltage toreduce quickly. The changeup control module 118 may couple the inputterminals 123 to the resistive load until the input voltage reaches asecond voltage (i.e., a changeup voltage). When the input voltagereaches the second voltage, the input terminals 123 may be coupled to afollower circuit (not shown). The follower circuit may produce thesecond voltage, so that the input voltage is held at the second voltage.The second voltage may cause the motor 108 to rotate at the secondrotational speed, thereby configuring the rotary wheel 102 to throw achangeup pitch.

The resistive braking scheme used by the changeup control module 118 mayallow the rotational speed of the motor 108 to be transitioned from thefirst rotational speed (corresponding to a fastball pitch) to the secondrotational speed (corresponding to a changeup pitch) relatively quickly.For example, the motor 108 may transition from about 2500 rpm to about2100 rpm in about 2-3 seconds. Thus, the ball throwing machine 100 maytransition from throwing a fastball pitch to a changeup pitch withoutincreasing a delay time between pitches.

In some embodiments, the resistive load may include one or moreresistors. In some embodiments in which the power source is a battery,the resistive load may include the battery. In these embodiments, themotor 108 may recharge the battery when transitioning from the firstvoltage to the second voltage.

When the changeup control module 118 is switched back to the unengagedstate, the input terminals 123 of the motor 108 are againcommunicatively coupled with the output terminals 124 of the fastballcontrol module 116. The fastball control module 116 again feeds thefirst voltage to the motor 108 as the input voltage. The rotationalspeed of the rotary wheel 102 may ramp back up to the first rotationalspeed from the second rotational speed. In some embodiments, the rotarywheel 102 may ramp up to the first rotational speed according to alogarithmic function. The rotational speed of rotary wheel 102 may besubstantially equal to the first rotational speed (i.e., at least 95% ofthe first rotational speed) prior to the next pitch.

In various embodiments, the ball throwing machine 100 may include achangeup switch 126 to toggle the changeup control module 118 betweenthe engaged state and the unengaged state. In some embodiments, thechangeup switch may be located on a handheld controller 128communicatively coupled to the changeup control module 118. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the handheld controller 128 maycommunicate wirelessly with the changeup control module 118. Thehandheld controller 128 may communicate with the changeup control modulevia radio frequency (RF) signals, and/or via any suitable wirelesscommunication protocol, such as Bluetooth, a wireless broadband network(e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax), and/or a cellular network. The handheld controller128 may include an antenna 130 to transmit signals to (and/or receivesignals from) the changeup control module 118, and the changeup controlmodule 118 may include an antenna 132 to receive signals from (and/ortransmit signals to) the handheld controller 128. The changeup switch126 may include one or more buttons, toggles, sliders, a touchscreen,and/or other suitable actuators that may be actuated to tell thehandheld controller 128 to send a signal to the changeup control module118 to tell the changeup control module to change its state (e.g., fromthe unengaged state to the engaged state and/or from the engaged stateto the unengaged state). In some embodiments, the handheld controller128 may be a consumer electronics device, such as a personal digitalassistant (PDA), mobile phone, personal computer (PC), tablet computer,and/or mp3 player.

In other embodiments, the handheld controller 128 may communicate withthe changeup control module 118 over a wired connection. In yet otherembodiments, the changeup switch 126 may be coupled to the body portion104 and/or the control box 109.

In some embodiments, the changeup control module 118 may be selectivelyswitched (e.g., by the handheld controller 128) from the unengaged stateto the engaged state and from the engaged state to the unengaged state.Alternatively, or additionally, the changeup control module 118 mayautomatically switch back to the unengaged state from the engaged stateafter a period of time in the engaged state. The length of the period oftime may be configured to allow enough time for the ball throwingmachine 100 to throw one or more changeup pitches.

In some embodiments, the ball throwing machine 100 may be configured toautomatically throw a changeup periodically. Accordingly, the changeupcontrol module 118 may be configured to automatically switch from theengaged state to the unengaged state at pre-determined and/or randomintervals. This may be especially suited for automatic feed machines andallow the athlete to practice hitting fastballs and/or changeups withoutthe presence of an operator to control the ball throwing machine 100.

In other embodiments, the ball throwing machine may include any numberof one or more rotary wheels, such as one, two, three or more rotarywheels. In some embodiments, each rotary wheel may be coupled to anassociated motor. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a ball throwing machine 300including a first rotary wheel 302 and a second rotary wheel 304. Thefirst rotary wheel 302 may be coupled to a first motor 306, and thesecond rotary wheel 304 may be coupled to a second motor 308. A feedstructure 310 may be configured to receive a ball (not shown) and directthe ball between the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotarywheel 302 and second rotary wheel 304. The ball may be pinched betweenthe outer circumferential surfaces of first rotary wheel 302 and secondrotary wheel 304, and the rotation of the rotary wheels may throw theball forward. Accordingly, the ball throwing machine 300 may not includea pinch plate.

The first rotary wheel 302 and second rotary wheel 304 may be orientedvertically (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), horizontally, and/or at an anglebetween vertical and horizontal. In some embodiments, the orientation ofthe first rotary wheel and/or second rotary wheel 304 may be adjustablebetween the vertical orientation and/or the horizontal orientation.

In some embodiments, the first motor 306 and second motor 308 may becontrolled independently to independently control the rotational speedof the first rotary wheel 302 and/or the second rotary wheel 304. Eachmotor may be coupled to a speed control module as described above. Inother embodiments, the first motor 306 and second motor 308 may both becontrolled by the same speed control module. The plurality of rotatingwheels may be used to throw a variety of pitches including fastballs,changeups, curveballs, sinkers, risers, and/or sliders. Accordingly, thespeed control module and/or changeup algorithm may be configured tocontrol the rotational speed of one or more of the rotating wheels tothrow any number of suitable pitches within the target zone.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a ball throwing machine 400 may include afirst rotary wheel 402, a second rotary wheel 404, and a third rotarywheel 406, each coupled to a body portion 408. The ball throwing machine400 may be supported by a support structure 409 (e.g., a tripod). Afirst motor 410 may be coupled to the first rotary wheel 402, a secondmotor 412 may be coupled to the second rotary wheel 404, and a thirdmotor 414 may be coupled to the third rotary wheel 406. A feed structure416 may be configured to receive a ball (not shown) and direct the ballbetween the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotary wheel402, second rotary wheel 404, and third rotary wheel 406. The ball maybe pinched between the outer circumferential surfaces, and the rotationof the rotary wheels may throw the ball forward. Accordingly, the ballthrowing machine 400 may not include a pinch plate.

The first rotary wheel 402, second rotary wheel 404, and third rotarywheel 406 may be oriented in any suitable orientation with respect toone another. In some embodiments, the orientation of one or more of therotary wheels may be adjustable.

In some embodiments, the first motor 410, second motor 412, and/or thirdmotor 414 may be controlled independently to independently control therotational speed of the respective rotary wheel. Each motor may becoupled to a control box 418. The control box 418 may include a speedcontrol module, as described above, to control the rotational speed ofthe first motor 410, second motor 412, and/or third motor 414. In someembodiments, each motor may be controlled by a separate speed controlmodule. In other embodiments, two or more of the first motor 410, secondmotor 412 and/or third motor 414 may be controlled by the same speedcontrol module. The plurality of rotating wheels may be used to throw avariety of pitches including fastballs, changeups, curveballs, sinkers,risers, and/or sliders. Accordingly, the speed control module and/orchangeup algorithm may be configured to control the rotational speed ofone or more of the rotating wheels to throw any number of suitablepitches within the target zone.

Although the ball throwing machine has been described herein as beingused to throw pitches to a batter, the ball throwing machine may also beused to throw balls for other purposes, such as to practice catching,fielding (e.g., ground balls and/or fly balls), and/or other purposes.Furthermore, although the ball throwing machine has been describedherein with reference to throwing baseballs and/or softballs, the ballthrowing machine may be used to throw any suitable ball or other object,such as tennis balls and/or footballs. The terms changeup and fastballare not meant to be limited to baseballs and/or softballs and may beused to describe throwing any object at different relative speeds.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a widevariety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementationscalculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for theembodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Thosewith skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may beimplemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intendedto cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussedherein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limitedonly by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball throwing machine comprising: one or morerotary wheels coupled to a body portion, each rotary wheel coupled to anassociated motor, the motor configured to rotate the rotary wheel at arotational speed, the rotational speed based at least in part on aparameter of an input signal received by the motor; a feed structurecoupled to the body portion and configured to receive a ball and directthe ball to an outer circumferential surface of at least one of the oneor more rotary wheels, the rotary wheel configured to throw the balloutwardly from the ball throwing machine toward an athlete; a speedcontrol module coupled to at least one of the motors, the speed controlmodule selectively switchable between a fastball setting and a changeupsetting and configured to deliver a first input signal to the motorduring the fastball setting to rotate the rotary wheel at a firstrotational speed and to deliver a second input signal to the motorduring the changeup setting to rotate the rotary wheel at a secondrotational speed; wherein the speed control module is configured todetermine the second input signal based at least in part on a parameterof the first input signal so that the ball will arrive at the athlete ina target zone during the fastball setting and the changeup settingwithout adjusting a position of the rotary wheel or the feed structure.2. The ball throwing machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more rotarywheels include a first rotary wheel, and wherein the feed structureincludes a pinch plate spaced from the circumferential outer surface ofthe first rotary wheel at a distance less than a diameter of the ball.3. The ball throwing machine of claim 1, wherein the input signalcomprises an input voltage, the first input signal comprises a firstvoltage, and the second input signal comprises a second voltage, andwherein the first voltage has a value based on a fastball speed settingof the speed control module, and the second voltage has a value based atleast in part on the value of the first voltage.
 4. The ball throwingmachine of claim 3, wherein the fastball speed setting is controlled bya potentiometer, the potentiometer being controllable by an operator ofthe ball throwing machine.
 5. The ball throwing machine of claim 3,wherein the speed control module includes a fastball control module anda changeup control module, the fastball control module configured toproduce the first voltage and communicatively coupled to input terminalsof the motor during the fastball setting to pass the first voltage tothe motor, and the changeup control module coupled to the fastballcontrol module and configured to interrupt the communicative couplingbetween the fastball control module and the input terminals of the motorduring the changeup setting to transition the input voltage from thefirst voltage to the second voltage.
 6. The ball throwing machine ofclaim 5, wherein the changeup control module is further configured tocouple the input terminals of the motor to a resistive load totransition the input voltage from the first voltage to the secondvoltage.
 7. The ball throwing machine of claim 6, wherein the changeupcontrol module is further configured to, when the input voltage reachesthe second voltage, couple the input terminals of the motor to afollower circuit configured to provide the second voltage.
 8. The ballthrowing machine of claim 1, further comprising a handheld controllerconfigured to communicate wirelessly with the speed control module toselectively place the speed control module in the fastball settingand/or the changeup setting.
 9. The ball throwing machine of claim 1,wherein the speed control module is configured to automatically switchto the fastball setting from the changeup setting after a time period inthe changeup setting.
 10. The ball throwing machine of claim 1, whereinthe second rotational speed is determined using a changeup algorithm,and the changeup algorithm includes a polynomial function.
 11. The ballthrowing machine of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises a first motorcoupled to a first rotary wheel of the one or more rotary wheels, theball throwing machine further comprising a second motor coupled to asecond rotary wheel, the second motor configured to rotate the secondrotary wheel at a second rotational speed based at least in part on avalue of a second input signal received by the second motor, and thesecond rotary wheel coupled to the body portion and having an outercircumferential surface spaced from the outer circumferential surface ofthe first rotary wheel to throw a ball in cooperation with the firstrotary wheel.
 12. The ball throwing machine of claim 11, furthercomprising a third motor coupled to a third rotary wheel, the thirdmotor configured to rotate the third rotary wheel at a third rotationalspeed based at least in part on a value of a third input signal receivedby the third motor, the third rotary wheel coupled to the body portionand having an outer circumferential surface spaced from the outercircumferential surfaces of the first and second rotary wheels to throwa ball in cooperation with the first and second rotary wheels.
 13. Aball throwing machine comprising: a rotary wheel; a feed structurecoupled to the rotary wheel and configured to receive a ball and directthe ball to an outer circumferential surface of the rotary wheel; amotor coupled to the rotary wheel and configured to rotate at arotational speed, thereby rotating the rotary wheel, the rotationalspeed based on an input voltage received by the motor; a fastballcontrol module configured to produce a first voltage, the first voltagehaving a value dependent on a base speed setting of the ball throwingmachine; and a changeup control module coupled to the fastball controlmodule and the drive motor, the changeup control module beingselectively switchable between an engaged state and an unengaged state,wherein when the changeup control module is in the unengaged state, thefirst voltage is provided to the drive motor as the input voltage, andwherein when the changeup control module is in the engaged state, thechangeup control module transitions the input voltage from the firstvoltage to a second voltage by uncoupling the input terminals of themotor from the fastball control module and coupling the input terminalsto a resistive load.
 14. The ball throwing machine of claim 13, whereinthe changeup controller is further configured to, when the input voltagereaches the second voltage, couple the input terminals of the motor to afollower circuit, the follower circuit configured to provide the secondvoltage to the motor as the input voltage.
 15. The ball throwing machineof claim 14, wherein the follower circuit is configured to receive thefirst voltage from the fastball control module and to produce the secondvoltage based at least in part on a value of the first voltage.
 16. Theball throwing machine of claim 15, wherein a trajectory at which theball is thrown from the rotary wheel remains substantially constant whenthe changeup controller is in the engaged state and the unengaged state,and wherein the changeup algorithm is configured so that the ball willbe thrown to a target zone when the.
 17. The ball throwing machine ofclaim 15, wherein the feed structure includes a pinch plate spaced apartfrom the rotary wheel at a distance less than a diameter of the ball,and wherein a position of the pinch plate and a position of the rotarywheel are substantially constant when the changeup controller is in theengaged state and the unengaged state.
 18. The ball throwing machine ofclaim 13, wherein the rotary wheel comprises a first rotary wheel, themotor comprises a first motor, and the input voltage comprises a firstinput voltage, the ball throwing machine further comprising a secondrotary wheel coupled to the feed structure and having an outercircumferential surface spaced from an outer circumferential surface ofthe first rotary wheel at a distance less than the diameter of the ballto throw the ball outwardly from the ball throwing machine, the secondrotary wheel coupled to a second drive motor configured to receive asecond input voltage to convert the second input voltage into arotational speed of the second rotary wheel.
 19. The ball throwingmachine of claim 18, further comprising a third rotary wheel coupled tothe feed structure and having an outer circumferential surface spacedfrom the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second rotarywheels to throw the ball outwardly from the ball throwing machine, thethird rotary wheel coupled to a third motor.
 20. A method comprising:producing, by a speed control module during a first mode, a firstvoltage based on a base speed setting of the speed control module;providing, by the speed control module during the first mode, the firstvoltage to a motor as an input voltage, the motor operatively coupled toa rotary wheel of a ball throwing machine to rotate the rotary wheel ata first rotational speed based on a value of the first voltage to causethe rotary wheel to throw a ball within a target zone; determining, bythe speed control module, a second voltage based on the base speedsetting of the speed control module, the second voltage having a valueconfigured to cause the motor, when the second voltage is fed to themotor as the input voltage, to rotate the rotary wheel at a secondrotational speed that is slower than the first rotational speed andconfigured to cause the rotary wheel to throw a ball within the targetzone; and transitioning, by the speed control module when the speedcontrol module is switched from a first mode to a second mode, the inputvoltage of the motor from the first voltage to the second voltage. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the transitioning further comprisescoupling input terminals of the motor to a resistive load.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising, when the input voltage reachesthe second voltage, uncoupling the input terminals from the resistiveload and coupling the input terminals to a follower circuit configuredto provide the second voltage to the input terminals.
 23. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising providing, when the speed control module isswitched from the second mode to the first mode, the first voltage tothe motor as the input voltage.